The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group works to help people whose rights have been violated and investigates cases involving such abuse, as well as assessing the overall human rights situation in Ukraine. The Group also seeks to develop awareness of human rights issues through public events and its various publications

Father Tkhon has been released and is in a safe place after being held by militants from the so-called ‘Russian Orthodox Army’. According to Pastor Sergey Kosyak, Father Tikhon is in a very bad state both physically and mentally. “Without going into details about his release and about his time [held hostage], the man looked death in the eye several times, and perhaps had already reconciled himself to it. Thank God, Father Tikhon is alive and at liberty.”

As reported here, Father Tikhon [Sergey Kulbaka) disappeared on July 3 after leaving his home, driving his own car. He had been the target of threats on many occasions and his car had been daubed with primitive insults and threats.

Father Tikhon is also the secretary of the inter-faith Council of Churches and Religious Organizations of the Donetsk Oblast, and is one of the organizers of the prayer ‘marathon’ in Donetsk.

There are still very many people held hostage by Kremlin-backed militants in Donbas, and new disappearances are reported everyday.